First Nation Learning Australia
First Nation people in Australia have grown up against a backdrop of the legacies of colonialism under which their traditional culture and stories were deliberately eradicated or 'assimilated’ into western economic, political and educational structures. Indigenous young people face disparities in educational and health outcomes and a sense of dislocation from their own stories and traditions. Furthermore, their traditions carry unique ways of knowing, learning and relating which are more holistic and relational than western models.
CLIENT BRIEF
Singleton High School and the Wannaruah people wanted to find ways to engage their Indigenous young people more effectively in education whilst honouring their traditional community. Xtrata Coal wanted to engage with the traditional communities on the lands where they were located.
HOW WE WENT ABOUT IT
We inducted teachers and Indigenous leaders into WILD principles and practices so they could engage in their own professional Learning Journeys whilst supporting students.
We captured and analysed baseline learning power data.
We co-designed Learning Journeys as personalised projects with Indigenous young people.
WHAT WE DID
We introduced the students to the language, imagery and metaphors of learning power and learning journeys.
The Indigenous young people led a whole community consultation with their people to identify animals from their sacred traditions to represent the learning power dimensions. These were ratified by the elders in community meetings.
Each student embarked on a personalised learning project, starting with a chosen object or place and were supported in knowledge building and self-awareness through coaching-for-learning conversations.
Students identified their future aspirations through collage using the images of their learning power ‘animals’.
The older male students crafted a story about the animals - how they were locked up in Taronga Zoo in Sydney and used their learning powers to escape back to country. (Download the full story here)
WHAT CHANGED
Students’ sense of pride and purpose was significantly enhanced.
Students’ learning power improved.
Student performance improved.
The value of Indigenous wisdom of land, story, image and relationship was visible and celebrated.
The story ‘Taronga Zoo Breakout’ was completed and published.
The Wannaruah community contributed to students’ learning.
Staff engaged in innovation and evidence based practice.
A video made by Indigenous children in Daly River
